How To Buy – Serial Port Version

The Serial Port Retro-Printer

If you only need to capture and process printer data from a 9 pin standard serial port – the Serial Port Retro-Printer is available as software only (with security dongle) ready to run on a Raspberry Pi computer (Pi 2 to Pi 5 tested).  The software is provided on a pre-programmed 32GB SanDisk Micro SD card, complete with SD adapter, and the operating system for a Raspberry Pi.

The main thing is to ensure that you are definitely using RS232 serial standard – and even whether your equipment needs 12v or can cope with 5v signals.  We have sourced some 12v capable RSS232 to USB adapters to allow the Retro-Printer software to be used with industrial PLCs. With suitable adapters, our solution will also work with RS485, RS422 and even Current Loop standards.

We have written a post providing more information about serial printer standards and identifying which standard is needed by your equipment.

We can also supply a Raspberry Pi 3B or Pi 3B+, case, a USB Serial convertor and a USB-RTC module if required. Prices* excluding VAT and any taxes are:

The above links go through to our trading platform sellmyretro.com but if you prefer, please contact us and we can send an invoice for payment by credit/debit card.

We can also offer options if you need a special lead making to connect to the Retro-Printer.

The printer emulations include Epson ESC/P and ESC/P2, PostScript, HP PCL, Printronix, IBM Proprinter, plain text and raw data conversion.

On-Site Deployment

If you need help with setting up your Retro-Printer Module, we are happy to attend on site and install the Retro-Printer modules, otherwise we can assist directly from our base in the UK to provide remote access (via a PC on your network) and configuration as required.  These services are provided by us at additional cost based on an hourly rate plus travel. 1 hour’s free remote assistance is included in the price of the Retro-Printer module.

Please feel free to contact us for more information.

Bespoke Software Development

We continue to develop the main software for the Retro-Printer to enhance user experience and address any particular issues as the less common printer control codes are used.  However, we can also offer bespoke software development services to help implement a full process engineering approach to the use of the Retro-Printer at additional cost.

For example, we have development versions of printer emulations for Apple, ESC/POS, Tandy DMP-105, Star Microline SP700 and Siemens PT88 printers. We are happy to look at other printer emulations if required, although we may charge extra for development of these. 

Some examples of where we have developed bespoke solutions, include the ability to send output over TCP/IP or FTP to a SCADA system, showing the raw data on screen, or parsing the incoming data to create a CSV file or send it to a SQL database for storage and comparison. 

Please feel free to contact us or register on our forums for more information

  * Prices exclude shipping and VAT / taxes.  We ship worldwide.